The federal government has announced that they are suspending their fuel excise tax until January 31, 2027.
Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne made the announcement today in Ottawa.
Additionally, from Feb. 1 to March 31, he announced the tax will only return at a rate of 50 per cent.
On April 1 the tax is set to return in full.
Champagne said the government is focused on controlling what they can, not outside influences.
“We have one very simple message, to all Canadians, we are there for you,” said Champagne. “Lower fuel costs help to bring down costs across the country. For Canada, it means practical relief at a time when Canadians need it most.”
The tax was temporarily suspended on April 20, and would have come back into effect after Labour Day. The federal government estimates that the suspension will continue to save Canadians 10 cents per litre on regular gasoline, and 4 cents per litre on diesel and aviation fuel.
Opposition leader Pierre Poilievre said the Conservatives won another battle for Canadian families, and is calling on the Liberal government to remove all federal taxes on gas and diesel until at least July 1, 2027.
“Only after months of Conservative pressure, Liberal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is announcing a delay of the governments proposed gas tax hike until early next year,” said Poilievre. “It pays to have Conservatives fighting for Canadian families.”
